Well you might be right but England's performance in this tournament has left me thinking much more positive thoughts than how sterile our national team in the other football code is.

It's happened twice in 4 years now and I can tell you that supporting an England Win against the French, in a pub where you are outnumbered by the French at least 20 to 1, is nothing short of exhilarating. And this time round it was even better because it was their country, their tournament, and a match where both teams battled like heroes from start to finish, right the way from No. 1 to No. 15 (2003 quite honestly was a bit of a stroll in the park).

I think I was even more knackered than the players after last Saturday's game. Even if we win next Saturday I can't see it being any more enjoyable than that.
And I'll tell you something else. The French were absolutely magnanimous in defeat. They were almost queueing up to shake the hands of and congratulate us few English supporters as we walked (or rather rolled!) through town afterwards with our St George crosses still painted on our faces, telling us the best team had won.
Hats off to a great sporting nation, worlds apart from those whinging Aussies.

The difference between a 747 and losing atipodean rugby supporters? The engines on the 747 stop whining when it lands.

What do you call a game between the 7th and 8th best ruby teams in the world?

The Antipodean Cup.

*cough* The Bledisloe Cup.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bledisloe_Cup

I thought of that but assumed most people wouldn't have heard of it.

Wiki links are your friend

I've edited the Wiki entry. Wonder how long it lasts

Just a reminder of how it feels and just how close it was to happening too late in 2003:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pcoF-8syDIQ

The most predictable drop goal attempt in rugby history and also one of the best worked. Jonny got the credit but Malcolm Dawson was the engineer, first gaining those few vital extra yards then putting the waiting Aussie demolition squad off guard with the dummy.

Add to that the part played by Martin Johnson, he may have only took it forward another half a yard but that enabled Dawson to get back to his feet from the previous ruck and give the pass to Wilkinson.

Mad dog Moody too. He closed Rodgers down to limit the distance on his touch kick then followed with a perfect take at the line out to set the move rolling.

The players involved talk us through the move in detail in this audio clip: http://www.bbc.co.uk/mediaselector/chec ... m=1&nbwm=1

Oh no - not another Bore War

go and make a cup of tea love, the men are talking

It's anyones game but I certainly think we'll edge it.

Andrew Sheridan will be man of the match. Watch him go.